Sydney Grammar School

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The Sydney Public Free Grammar School was opened in 1825 by Laurence Hynes Halloran, born County Meath, Ireland (1765–1831). Previously, Halloran had operated a private school in Exeter, England, however fled in 1796 due to debts, after being accused of immorality. It subsequently emerged that his degrees (in divinity) were self-awarded. He eventually returned to Britain but was arrested for forgery and transported to the penal colony of New South Wales, arriving there in 1819. He was immediately granted a ticket-of-leave.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

In 1854, Sydney Grammar School (SGS) was incorporated by an Act of Parliament and acquired the land and building in College Street which had been temporarily occupied by the newly founded University of Sydney in 1852. It was opened on 3 August 1857, specifically as a feeder school for the university.

The preamble of the Sydney Grammar School Act 1854 states:

It is deemed expedient for the better advancement of religion and morality and the promotion of useful knowledge to establish in Sydney a public school for conferring on all classes and denominations of Her Majesty’s subjects resident in the Colony of New South Wales without any distinction whatsoever the advantages of a regular and liberal course of education.{{cite web|url = http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/fullhtml/inforce/act+sgs+1854+fn+0+N?|title = Sydney Grammar School Act 1854 (Private Act)|access-date = 25 October 2007|work = NSW legislation|publisher = Parliamentary Counsel's Office|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090515120911/http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/fullhtml/inforce/act+sgs+1854+fn+0+N|archive-date = 15 May 2009|url-status = live}}

The act provides that the trustees of the school shall consist of twelve persons, of whom six shall be persons holding the following offices respectively:

• The Honourable the Attorney-General of New South Wales
• The Honourable the President of the New South Wales Legislative Council
• The Honourable the Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
• The Chancellor of the University of Sydney
• The Principal Professor of Classics of the University of Sydney
• The Senior Professor of Mathematics of the University of Sydney

The act also provides that the Governor of New South Wales shall be the official visitor of the school.{{Cite web |title=History of the School - Sydney Grammar School |url=https://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/about-grammar/history-of-the-school/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au}}

{{more citations needed section|date=July 2021}}

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Sydney Grammar School is the oldest school still in use in the City of Sydney, and is historically the site on which the University of Sydney began. The school buildings also contain examples of early building materials and techniques in pre-Federation Australia.{{cite web|url= http://www.sydneyarchitecture.com/cbd/cbd2-004.htm|title= Sydney Grammar School|access-date= 11 March 2008|year= 2004|work= Sydney Architecture Images- Central Business District|publisher= Sydney Architecture|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080706120910/http://www.sydneyarchitecture.com/cbd/cbd2-004.htm|archive-date= 6 July 2008|url-status= live}}

The site was founded as The Sydney College in 1830, and the following year began operations in a new building in Hyde Park designed by Edward Hallen. It consisted of a single large room (now known as "Big School") with basement rooms beneath. Sydney College continued despite financial difficulties until 1853, when it was taken over by the fledgling University of Sydney until such time as the present Grose Farm site was ready for occupation. The site was then sold in 1856 to the trustees of the newly incorporated Sydney Grammar School, which had been established and endowed with a building fund by Act of Parliament. Edmund Blacket was commissioned to design extensions to the south and north of the Hallen building (now the North and South Blacket rooms), which were completed in 1856 and 1857 respectively. The "Big School" building became central to the Colonial Architect, James Barnet's vision for the cultural focus of Sydney Town.{{cite web|url= http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/CollegeSt/archives.html|title= History |access-date= 12 March 2008 |year= 2003 |work= SGS Archives|publisher= Sydney Grammar School |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080308095425/http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/CollegeSt/archives.html |archive-date = 8 March 2008}}{{primary source inline|date=July 2021}}

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The War Memorial wing, named for its position behind Big School's monument to the Great War, was built at the northern end of Big School in 1953 by the Scott brothers, at the cost of its double staircase. In 1876, the main building was extended to the east by Mansfield Brothers, and this extension was itself extended to the north and south in 1899 by John W Manson. The Science classrooms on Stanley Street were built in 1889–90. Other early buildings on the site, now demolished, included the Sergeant's Lodge, an ablutions block (known as the "White House") on Stanley Street, and a former postal sorting office on Yurong Street (now the Palladium building).{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

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Sydney Grammar is a private school.{{cite news| first = Anna| last = Patty| title = Lessons in choice| url = http://newsstore.smh.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=smh&kw=sydney+grammar+school&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=headline&sf=text&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=SMH0707302A3AM419QOF| department = News and Features| work =Sydney Morning Herald| location = Sydney| page = 14| date = 30 July 2007| access-date = 11 March 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110524051318/http://newsstore.smh.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=smh&kw=sydney+grammar+school&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=headline&sf=text&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=SMH0707302A3AM419QOF| archive-date = 24 May 2011| url-status = live}} Each year up to 26 full scholarships are offered to students who show academic promise and who perform well in the scholarship examination. It is also regarded for its strong academic results: for example, in national government testing ('NAPLAN' testing), it is one of the best performing private school nationwide,

{{cite web

|url=https://bettereducation.com.au/school/Secondary/national/au_top_secondary_schools.aspx

|title=Sydney Grammar School, Only private school in top 10 NAPLAN schools

|access-date=17 December 2018

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226083041/http://bettereducation.com.au/school/secondary/national/au_top_secondary_schools.aspx

|archive-date=26 February 2019

|url-status=live }}

and a high performer in the New South Wales Higher School Certificate with over 50% of graduates receiving a 95 ATAR ('Australian Tertiary Admissions Ranking') or higher between 2009 and 2023.{{Cite web |title=Academic Results - Sydney Grammar School |url=https://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/why-grammar/academic-results/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au}}

Sydney Grammar is located near the Sydney central business district. The campus is compact and consists of multi-storey buildings (of up to eight floors) in a concrete landscape setting. Sydney Grammar is situated on the eastern side of Sydney's Hyde Park, next to the Australian Museum, and extends from College Street to Yurong Street. The designs of the school's buildings illustrate many different architectural eras: "Big School" (dating from the early 19th century colonial era), the Blacket buildings (annexed onto either side of "Big School" and completed in the 1850s), the original Science building (1891), the Science laboratory block (1960s), the Palladium building (an example of 1970s Modernist architecture), the Stanley Street building and Alastair Mackerras Theatre (1980s), and the A. B. 'Banjo' Paterson Library (1990s).

File:Sydney Grammar School-Weigall Sports Ground overlook.jpg

Weigall, the school's sportsground (named after former Headmaster Albert Bythesea Weigall), is located at Rushcutters Bay next to the Edgecliff Preparatory School and includes tennis courts, cricket nets and three fields for cricket, rugby and football. It is routinely used for Saturday sports matches, physical education and as a recreational area for Grammar's Edgecliff Preparatory School next door. There is also a large gymnasium at College Street and full rowing facilities at the school's boatshed at Gladesville.[https://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/life-at-grammar/sport/ Sport] Sydney Grammar School

In May 2005, Headmaster John Vallance announced that the school would lead a consortium to purchase 30 Alma Street Paddington, known as White City, from Tennis New South Wales, thus extending the Weigall grounds substantially.{{cite news| first = Tim| last = Dick| title = Match point in tennis centre sale| url = https://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Match-point-in-tennis-centre-sale/2005/05/23/1116700652760.html| newspaper =Sydney Morning Herald| date = 24 May 2005| access-date = 11 September 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080110131112/http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Match-point-in-tennis-centre-sale/2005/05/23/1116700652760.html| archive-date = 10 January 2008| url-status = live}} In 2006, development applications to subdivide the White City tennis courts (numbered DA 20/2006 and DA 302/2006) were lodged with Woollahra Council to develop the site to accommodate more tennis and basketball courts; these were subsequently passed.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

On 14 June 2008 the new field now known as Weigall 4 was opened with a range of guests including Frank Lowy, president of Football Federation Australia.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

In 2009, the school began the construction of a new, underground multi-purpose hall featuring a seating capacity of over 1,500 seats, now called the John Vallance Hall (formerly The New Hall from its opening until 2017).{{cite web|title=Our largest building project?|url=http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/GeneralInformation/publications/foundations/Nov09.pdf|work=Foundations|access-date=15 August 2011|date=November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930022303/http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/GeneralInformation/publications/foundations/Nov09.pdf|archive-date=30 September 2011|url-status=dead}} Completed in August 2011, it was primarily designed to accommodate the entirety of the current students and teaching staff under one roof while being acoustically sound for orchestral performances.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

The hall was officially opened by the headmaster on 18 August 2011 with a celebratory concert featuring performances from a large number of Grammar boys past and present. The John Vallance Hall is now used by the two preparatory schools as well.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

The current headmaster of Sydney Grammar School is Richard Malpass, who replaced John Vallance when he resigned on 7 April 2017.

{{More citations needed section|date=August 2007}}

SGS has won the AMEB Music Shield 23 times in the past 25 years.{{cite web|date=Winter 2018|title=Sydney Grammar School Magazine|url=https://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=190018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190313052404/https://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=190018|archive-date=13 March 2019|access-date=22 August 2018|page=17}} Two-thirds of pupils in the school play a musical instrument or are involved with music in some way. SGS has scores of musical groups in mostly classical, chamber and jazz styles. The School Orchestra engages in both national and international tours. Grammar's choir program involves hundreds of students, old boys, and parents, participating in its many annual concerts. The school's senior a cappella group is known as The Grammarphones and is composed of the best tenors, basses and baritones in the senior years. The school's senior big band, the Sydney Grammar School Big Band, is a regular feature at the Manly Jazz Festival.

SGS embarked on a five-year program entitled "Bach: 2010", in which all the known choral cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach were performed in a series of concerts between 2005 and 2010.{{cite web|url= http://www.ohta.org.au/confs/Sydney/SYDNEYGRAMMARSCHOOL.html|title= Sydney Grammar School|year= 2005|access-date= 11 March 2008|work= Conference Program – Sydney|publisher= Organ Historical Trust of Australia|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080314215221/http://www.ohta.org.au/confs/Sydney/SYDNEYGRAMMARSCHOOL.html|archive-date= 14 March 2008|url-status= live}} Sydney Grammar is one of the few institutions in the world that has engaged in such an exercise and was aided by the Mander organ in the Big School.{{cite web|url= http://www.mander-organs.com/portfolio/sydney-g-s.html|title= Sydney Grammar School|access-date= 11 March 2008|year= 2003|work= Portfolio|publisher= Mander Organs|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070928071835/http://www.mander-organs.com/portfolio/sydney-g-s.html|archive-date= 28 September 2007|url-status= live}} A performance has been held every year since by head of practical music studies, Robert Wagner, on the Bach's birthday.{{Cite news|url=https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/Under-35s-Fun/events/221098893/?_cookie-check=lyiwPcPFh79UfbFz|title=Bach's 330th birthday organ concert - Robert Wagner @ Sydney Grammar|work=Meetup|access-date=2018-02-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209182252/https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/Under-35s-Fun/events/221098893/?_cookie-check=lyiwPcPFh79UfbFz|archive-date=9 February 2018|url-status=live}}

Under the current Head Master, an organic rock-&-roll movement has emerged and is currently thriving. The end of 2004 saw the consummation of years of practice in the first Grammarpalooza rock concert, which included the musical style of Old Boy band, Dappled Cities Fly.

{{advert|date=June 2021}}

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Sydney Grammar School is a member of the Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of NSW (GPS), Australia's oldest school sporting association. GPS sporting events include rugby union, football, cricket, tennis, volleyball, cross country, basketball, rowing, swimming, athletics, rifle shooting, and debating.{{cite web|title=Sport|url=http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/co-curricular/sport/|publisher=Sydney Grammar School|access-date=10 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507080154/http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/co-curricular/sport/|archive-date=7 May 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Debating|url=http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/co-curricular/debating/|publisher=Sydney Grammar School|access-date=10 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507080105/http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/co-curricular/debating/|archive-date=7 May 2011|url-status=dead}} The school also competes in fencing and chess{{cite web|title=Chess|url=http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/co-curricular/chess/|publisher=Sydney Grammar School|access-date=10 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507080055/http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/co-curricular/chess/|archive-date=7 May 2011|url-status=dead}} competitions.

Grammar participates in the annual Tri-Grammar competitions, a series of cricket competitions between the Firsts teams of Sydney Grammar School, Melbourne Grammar School and Brisbane Grammar School. Sydney and Melbourne Grammar School also compete for "The Bat" in the same competition. The Sydney–Melbourne match dates back to 1876, and in 1976, to mark the centenary of this rivalry, a "Bat" was struck, with the winner of the annual match taking possession. The bat was donated by John Crawford, the father of the captain of the 1976 premiership winning side Andrew Crawford.

The school launched its rowing program in 1878, and has maintained it since.http://www.rowinghistory-aus.info/club-histories/sydney/03-1.php {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061011093726/http://www.rowinghistory-aus.info/club-histories/sydney/03-1.php |date=11 October 2006 }} Early rowing clubs Competition in rowing culminates in the Riverview Gold Cup for Junior Crews and the Head of the River for Senior Crews. Grammar's boatshed is on the Parramatta River at Gladesville.

On 2 April 2011, Sydney Grammar School first eight won the Major Rennie Trophy at the AAGPS Head of the River.{{cite web|title=AAGPS Head of the River Results 2011|url=http://www.rowingnsw.asn.au/regattas/10-11/aagpshotr/2011_AAGPSHeadoftheRiver_results.pdf|work=2010 – 2011 Regatta Calendar|publisher=Rowing NSW|access-date=7 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408210511/http://www.rowingnsw.asn.au/regattas/10-11/aagpshotr/2011_AAGPSHeadoftheRiver_results.pdf|archive-date=8 April 2011|url-status=live}} This marked the first victory for the school since 1978. In its history, Grammar has won the race sixteen times, the most after the Shore School. Many rowers have gone on to row in Varsity Crews at a university level.{{cite web |url=https://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/_literature_161155/June2012_new |title=Sydney Grammar School Magazine June 2012, see page 3 |access-date=22 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313155418/http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/_literature_161155/June2012_new |archive-date=13 March 2018 |url-status=live}} In the 2014–2015 Harvard University rowing roster, Sydney Grammar had the most rowers out of any high school globally and two Sydney Grammar rowers were in Harvard's top crew (First Varsity Eight).{{cite web |url=https://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mcrew-hw/2014-15/roster |title=Harvard University Heavyweight Roster 2014–2015 |access-date=7 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209165216/https://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mcrew-hw/2014-15/roster |archive-date=9 December 2018 |url-status=live}}

The school operates academic extension programmes in both sciences and humanities, which includes olympiad programmes and hosting visiting scholars who spend time teaching and giving a public lecture. Notable scholars have included metaethicist Simon Blackburn, science and medical historian Sir Geoffrey Lloyd, zoologist Andrew Parker, astronomer and 1999 Young Australian of the Year Bryan Gaensler, historian Sir Christopher Clark, professor of English Dame Marina Warner, professor of Greek Richard Hunter, and composer Robin Holloway.{{citation |title = Academic Extension|publisher = Sydney Grammar School|year = 2016}}

File:Pyrimethamine2DACS.svg structure]]

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As part of an academic extension activity, a group of year 11 students attempted to prepare the medication pyrimethamine (sold as Daraprim) in 2016. Pyrimethamine is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system, for both adults{{cite book|title = WHO Model List of Essential Medicines|edition = 19th|url =https://www.who.int/medicines/publications/essentialmedicines/EML_2015_FINAL_amended_NOV2015.pdf?ua=1|publisher = World Health Organization|date = November 2015|access-date = 3 December 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161213052708/http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/essentialmedicines/EML_2015_FINAL_amended_NOV2015.pdf?ua=1|archive-date = 13 December 2016|url-status = live}} and children.{{cite book|title = WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children|edition = 5th|url =https://www.who.int/medicines/publications/essentialmedicines/EMLc_2015_FINAL_amended_AUG2015.pdf?ua=1|publisher = World Health Organization|date = August 2015|access-date = 3 December 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170317233533/http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/essentialmedicines/EMLc_2015_FINAL_amended_AUG2015.pdf?ua=1|archive-date = 17 March 2017|url-status = live}}{{cite web|title=WHO Model List of EssentialMedicines|url=http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/93142/1/EML_18_eng.pdf?ua=1|work=World Health Organization|access-date=22 April 2014|date=October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423005004/http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/93142/1/EML_18_eng.pdf?ua=1|archive-date=23 April 2014|url-status=live}} It is used to treat toxoplasmosis,{{cite book|last = Hamilton|first = Richard J.|title = Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2016 Deluxe Lab-Coat Edition|year = 2015|publisher = Jones & Bartlett Learning|isbn = 9781284095289|page = 63|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=YISkDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA63}} cystoisosporiasis, and malaria (in combination with sulfadoxine).{{cite web|title = Pyrimethamine|url = https://www.drugs.com/monograph/pyrimethamine.html|author = American Society of Health-System Pharmacists|website = Drugs.com|access-date = 2 December 2016|date = 8 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161202172816/https://www.drugs.com/monograph/pyrimethamine.html|archive-date = 2 December 2016|url-status = live}} It received significant attention when its manufacturer in the United States was acquired by Turing Pharmaceuticals, and its CEO Martin Shkreli decided to increase the price from US$13.50 to US$750 a dose.{{cite news|title = Drug Goes From $13.50 a Tablet to $750, Overnight|first = Andrew|last = Pollack|date = 20 September 2015|access-date = 3 December 2016|newspaper = The New York Times|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/business/a-huge-overnight-increase-in-a-drugs-price-raises-protests.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151216002021/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/business/a-huge-overnight-increase-in-a-drugs-price-raises-protests.html|archive-date = 16 December 2015|url-status = live}}{{cite news|url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilymullin/2015/12/21/turing-pharma-says-daraprim-availability-will-be-unaffected-by-shkreli-arrest/|title = Turing Pharma Says Daraprim Availability Will Be Unaffected By Shkreli Arrest|last = Mullin|first = Emily|newspaper = Forbes|date = 21 December 2015|access-date = 10 November 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161110120131/http://www.forbes.com/sites/emilymullin/2015/12/21/turing-pharma-says-daraprim-availability-will-be-unaffected-by-shkreli-arrest/|archive-date = 10 November 2016|url-status = live}} Hence, a group of year 11 students from Grammar, supported by Matthew H. Todd from the University of Sydney and the Open Source Malaria consortium, have prepared pyrimethamine.{{cite news|title = Australian students recreate Martin Shkreli price-hike drug in school lab|first = Melissa|last = Davey|newspaper = The Guardian|date = 1 December 2016|access-date = 1 December 2016|url = https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/dec/01/australian-students-recreate-martin-shkreli-price-hike-drug-in-school-lab|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161201054640/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/dec/01/australian-students-recreate-martin-shkreli-price-hike-drug-in-school-lab|archive-date = 1 December 2016|url-status = live}} The students started with 17 g of (4-chlorophenyl)acetonitrile (which is available from Sigma-Aldrich for $36.50 per 100 g) and prepared 3.7 g of pyrimethamine, which is about US$110,000 at Turing's prices.{{cite news|title = Sydney schoolboys take down Martin Shkreli, the 'most hated man in the world'|first = Marcus|last = Strom|date = 30 November 2016|access-date = 3 December 2016|newspaper = The Sydney Morning Herald|url = https://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/sydney-schoolboys-take-down-martin-shkreli-the-most-hated-man-in-the-world-20161125-gsxcu5|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161202114508/http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/sydney-schoolboys-take-down-martin-shkreli-the-most-hated-man-in-the-world-20161125-gsxcu5|archive-date = 2 December 2016|url-status = live}}

Their work has attracted attention from around the world, being reported in The Independent,{{cite news|newspaper = The Independent|access-date = 3 December 2016|title = Martin Shkreli-hiked drug Daraprim recreated by Australian schoolboys for $20 a pill|first = Feliks|last = Garcia|date = 1 December 2016|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/daraprim-australian-students-recreate-martin-shkreli-price-hike-hiv-aids-20-dollars-a7448966.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161203125739/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/daraprim-australian-students-recreate-martin-shkreli-price-hike-hiv-aids-20-dollars-a7448966.html|archive-date = 3 December 2016|url-status = live}} the Daily Telegraph,{{cite news|title = Breaking good: Australian schoolboys reproduce Martin Shkreli-hiked drug for £1 a pill|first = Chiara|last = Palazzo|date = 2 December 2016|access-date = 3 December 2016|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/01/breaking-good-australian-schoolboys-reproduce-martin-shkreli/|newspaper = The Daily Telegraph|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161202211636/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/01/breaking-good-australian-schoolboys-reproduce-martin-shkreli/|archive-date = 2 December 2016|url-status = live}} and BBC News{{cite news|title = Martin Shkreli: Australian boys recreate life-saving drug|date = 2 December 2016|access-date = 3 December 2016|first = Greg|last = Dunlop|url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-38153254|newspaper = BBC Online|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161202212805/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-38153254|archive-date = 2 December 2016|url-status = live}} in the United Kingdom, the Washington Post,{{cite news|title = Sydney high school students 'show up' Martin Shkreli, recreating price-hiked pill for $2|first = Samantha|last = Schmidt|date = 1 December 2016|access-date = 3 December 2016|newspaper = The Washington Post|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/12/01/sydney-high-school-students-show-up-martin-shkreli-recreating-price-hiked-pill-for-2/|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161202220552/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/12/01/sydney-high-school-students-show-up-martin-shkreli-recreating-price-hiked-pill-for-2/|archive-date = 2 December 2016|url-status = live}} New York Daily News,{{cite news|newspaper = The New York Daily News|date = 30 November 2016|access-date = 3 December 2016|title = Australian high school boys create Martin Shkreli's price-hiked drug using $20 and science|first = Tobias|last = Salinger|url = http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/australian-high-schoolers-create-martin-shkreli-drug-20-article-1.2893130|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161202120233/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/australian-high-schoolers-create-martin-shkreli-drug-20-article-1.2893130|archive-date = 2 December 2016|url-status = live}} and U.S. News & World Report{{cite news|title = Australian High School Students Make Martin Shkreli's $750 Daraprim Drug for $2 per Pill|first = Rachel|last = Dicker|date = 1 December 2016|access-date = 3 December 2016|newspaper = U.S. News & World Report|url = https://www.usnews.com/news/health-care-news/articles/2016-12-01/australian-students-reproduce-martin-shkrelis-daraprim-drug-for-2-per-pill|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161220030336/http://www.usnews.com/news/health-care-news/articles/2016-12-01/australian-students-reproduce-martin-shkrelis-daraprim-drug-for-2-per-pill|archive-date = 20 December 2016|url-status = live}} in the United States, among others.{{cite news|url = http://www.ibtimes.co.in/take-that-pharma-bro-australian-students-recreate-110000-aids-drug-ingredient-20-706517|title = Take that, Pharma Bro: Australian students recreate $110,000 AIDS drug ingredient for $20|first = Arkadev|last = Ghoshal|access-date = 3 December 2016|date = 1 December 2016|newspaper = International Business Times (India Edition)|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161202123908/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/take-that-pharma-bro-australian-students-recreate-110000-aids-drug-ingredient-20-706517|archive-date = 2 December 2016|url-status = live}} By replacing expensive chemicals with alternatives available in a high school laboratory, they demonstrated that the synthesis can be carried out fairly simply and safely, and at a cost of approximately {{$A|link=yes|2}} per dose.{{cite news|newspaper = The Guardian|title = Martin Shkreli branded an 'attention seeker' as Sydney student hits back|first = Melissa|last = Davey|date = 2 December 2016|access-date = 3 December 2016|url = https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/dec/02/martin-shkreli-rattled-by-sydney-high-schoolers-who-cooked-2-malaria-pills|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161202203428/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/dec/02/martin-shkreli-rattled-by-sydney-high-schoolers-who-cooked-2-malaria-pills|archive-date = 2 December 2016|url-status = live}} Business magazine Forbes described the work as figuratively "punch[ing] Martin Shkreli in the face" and as raising questions about pharmaceutical companies which do not do substantial amounts of research.{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Bruce Y. |date=1 December 2016 |title=High Schoolers Punch Martin Shkreli in the Face, Figuratively |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2016/12/01/high-schoolers-punch-martin-shkreli-in-the-face-figuratively/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202124045/http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2016/12/01/high-schoolers-punch-martin-shkreli-in-the-face-figuratively/ |archive-date=2 December 2016 |access-date=3 December 2016 |newspaper=Forbes}} Unfortunately, as a consequence of the closed distribution model which Turing employs in the United States, any competing company seeking to market a generic alternative to Daraprim (including using the approach the boys developed with their teacher) would need to compare their product with a sample of Daraprim provided directly by Turing; if Turing refuses to provide that sample, the competitor would need to undertake a complete new clinical trial, which creates a prohibitive barrier to entering the market. The boys are quoted making comments highly critical of Shkreli's and Turing's behaviour, and have been applauded on social media with comments that their work highlights Shkreli's greed, though he has minimised their achievement.

Shkreli subsequently posted a video about the achievement, declaring his "delight" about students entering the STEM field, describing them as "proof that the 21st century economy will solve problems of human suffering through science and technology", and stating that "[w]e should congratulate these students for their interest in chemistry and all be excited about what is to come in the STEM-focused 21st century."{{cite news|title = Martin Shkreli responds to Sydney schoolboys who recreated drug in Daraprim|url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/martin-shkreli-responds-to-sydney-schoolboys-who-recreated-drug-in-daraprim/news-story/478b698ff20623d0e1efcbbf3c817b66|date = 2 December 2016|access-date = 3 December 2016|newspaper = The Australian|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170520151615/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/martin-shkreli-responds-to-sydney-schoolboys-who-recreated-drug-in-daraprim/news-story/478b698ff20623d0e1efcbbf3c817b66|archive-date = 20 May 2017|url-status = live}} The students presented their work at the Royal Australian Chemical Institute's NSW Organic Chemistry symposium alongside students at fourth-year undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as postdoctoral researchers.

The school has numerous clubs and societies for students. Notable examples include:

• Australian Air Force Cadets{{cite web|url= http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/CollegeSt/clubs.html|title= Clubs and Societies|access-date= 11 March 2008 |work= College Street|publisher= Sydney Grammar School |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080121105552/http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/CollegeSt/clubs.html |archive-date = 21 January 2008}} (Established in 1942{{cite web|url= http://3wg.aafc.org.au/iis/hosted/306sqn/About306.htm|title= A brief history of 306 Squadron|access-date= 11 March 2008 |work= About 306 Squadron |publisher= Australian Air Force Cadets |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080723110755/http://3wg.aafc.org.au/iis/hosted/306sqn/About306.htm |archive-date = 23 July 2008}})
• Australian Army Cadets (Founded in 1871 by School Headmaster Albert Bythesea Weigall, the Corps is one of the oldest military units in the nation, even predating the Australian Army.{{cite book |url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A060406b.htm |title=Weigall, Albert Bythesea (1840–1912) |author=J. B. Windeyer |chapter=Albert Bythesea Weigall (1840–1912) |work=Australian Dictionary of Biography Vol. 6 |publisher=MUP |year=1976 |pages=375–376 |access-date=12 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070619110543/http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A060406b.htm |archive-date=19 June 2007 |url-status=live}})
• Creative Writing Club, run by notable author John Hughes
• Chess Club
• Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
• Debating

A number of boys also assist in editing the school's yearly almanac, The Sydneian, over 400 editions of which have been produced since 1875.

File:OldSydneians.jpg

{{Main|List of Old Sydneians}}

Alumnus of Sydney Grammar School are commonly referred to as Old Boys or Old Sydneians,{{cite web|url = http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/CollegeSt/osu.html|title = Old Sydneians' Union|access-date = 25 October 2007|year = 2007|work = College St|publisher = Sydney Grammar School |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071008193918/http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/CollegeSt/osu.html |archive-date = 8 October 2007}} and may elect to join the schools alumni association, the Old Sydneians' Union (OSU).{{cite web|url = http://www.osu.com.au/|title = Old Sydneians' Union|access-date = 25 October 2007|year = 2007|work = Welcome|publisher = OSU Sydney Grammar School Old Sydneians' Union|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927231044/http://www.osu.com.au/|archive-date = 27 September 2007|url-status = live}}{{cite web|url = http://www.osu.com.au/membership.php|title = Membership|access-date = 25 October 2007|publisher = OSU Sydney Grammar School Old Sydneians' Union|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070829060745/http://osu.com.au/membership.php|archive-date = 29 August 2007|url-status = dead}}

Grammar is notable for having educated many Rhodes Scholars,{{cite web|title=Sydney Grammar School 26th Rhode Scholar in 2005|url=https://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/_literature_161184/05-1_new|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313160945/http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/_literature_161184/05-1_new|archive-date=13 March 2018|access-date=22 August 2018}}{{cite web|title=News|url=https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news.html|website=The University of Sydney|access-date=9 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709131733/https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Sydney Grammar School 28th Rhode Scholar in 2013|url=https://crawford.anu.edu.au/study/intern-fellow-programs/us-congressional-research-fellowship-program/our-fellows-2011-12|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822113446/https://crawford.anu.edu.au/study/intern-fellow-programs/us-congressional-research-fellowship-program/our-fellows-2011-12|archive-date=22 August 2018|access-date=22 August 2018}} High Court judges (Australia's highest court) and the equal highest number of Australian Prime Ministers, out of any school in Australia. Its alumni also include influential figures in business, international sport, science and medicine, and the performing arts, like David Gonski (leading Australian philanthropist, chairman of the Future Fund, chancellor of the New South Wales) and Rowan Gillies (former international president of Médecins Sans Frontières).

Notable alumni also include Sir Edmund Barton, the first Prime Minister of Australia (1901–1903),{{cite web|url= http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/4432.html|title= Edmund Barton|access-date= 11 March 2008|work= Player Profile|publisher= cricinfoaustralia|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070703040526/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/4432.html|archive-date= 3 July 2007|url-status= live}} Sir William McMahon, 20th Prime Minister of Australia (1971–1972),{{cite web|url=http://primeministers.naa.gov.au/fastfacts.asp?pmSelectName=20 |title=William McMahon |access-date=11 March 2008 |work=Fast Facts – Australia's Prime Ministers |publisher=National Archives of Australia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831170903/http://www.primeministers.naa.gov.au/fastfacts.asp?pmSelectName=20 |archive-date=31 August 2007 }} Malcolm Turnbull, 29th Prime Minister of Australia (2015–2018),{{cite web |url=http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/09/14/22/29/malcolm-turnbull-the-man-who-always-thought-he-was-king |title=Malcolm Turnbull: The man destined for the crown - 9news.com.au |date=14 September 2015 |access-date=14 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916190927/http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/09/14/22/29/malcolm-turnbull-the-man-who-always-thought-he-was-king |archive-date=16 September 2015 |url-status=live}} Bruce Gyngell, first person to appear on Australian television,{{cite web|url= http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/G/htmlG/gyngellbruc/gyngellbruc.htm|title= GYNGELL, BRUCE|access-date= 11 March 2008|work= Archives|publisher= The Museum of Broadcast Communications|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080423202627/http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/G/htmlG/gyngellbruc/gyngellbruc.htm|archive-date= 23 April 2008|url-status= live}} Andrew "Boy" Charlton, an Olympic gold medallist swimmer,{{cite web|url= http://www.sydneymedia.com.au/html/3039-dive-into-spring.asp|title= Andrew "Boy" Charlton – An Australian Legend|access-date= 11 March 2008|date= 1 September 2006|work= Dive into spring|publisher= Sydney Media|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070927080732/http://www.sydneymedia.com.au/html/3039-dive-into-spring.asp|archive-date= 27 September 2007}} and also Banjo Paterson – bush poet and balladist, and author of "The Man From Snowy River" and "Waltzing Matilda," and who now has the school library named after him.

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• Sheldon, J.S 1997. The Big School Room at Sydney Grammar School with an Account of the Decline & Fall of Sydney College. Sydney Grammar School Press, Sydney, NSW. {{ISBN|0-646-30507-7}}.
• Turney, C. 1989. Grammar: A History of Sydney Grammar School 1819 – 1988. Allen & Unwin with Sydney Grammar School, Sydney, NSW. {{ISBN|0-04-910115-3}}.

• {{Official website|http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au}}
• [http://www.osu.com.au The Old Sydneians Union]

{{Great Public Schools}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Educational institutions established in 1825

Category:1850 disestablishments

Category:Private secondary schools in Sydney

Category:Member schools of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference

Category:Boys' schools in New South Wales

Category:Junior School Heads Association of Australia Member Schools

Category:Private primary schools in Sydney

Category:Edmund Blacket buildings in Sydney

Category:Darlinghurst, New South Wales

Category:St Ives, New South Wales

Category:College Street, Sydney

Category:Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of New South Wales

Category:Grammar schools in Australia